Damp Course Explained: A Comprehensive Overview

The damp climate we experience here in the UK can cause serious damp issues for property owners and every building should have a damp proof course that is normally sandwiched between brick courses near the ground level. If you are looking at the brickwork on the exterior of your home, you should see a thin black line between 2 courses of bricks, which is the damp proof course. Building regulations state that a DPC membrane must be included in every new build and we have been doing this since the late 19th century, when bitumen was used to prevent moisture rising up from the ground and attacking the exterior walls.

Damp proof injection

A damp proofing specialist in London offers DPC injection whereby a special foam is injected into a cavity wall through drilled holes. This is a highly effective way to prevent moisture from rising up a building and we at London Damp Specialists offer this service, which is one of many damp proofing services we perform on London properties. This is a more effective solution than using a DPC membrane and by filling the wall cavity, damp cannot rise from the ground.

First, the damaged plaster is removed and the wall is prepared, then a series of 12mm holes are drilled at around 150mm from ground level. Then the DPC foam is pumped into the wall and when it reaches the level of the holes, plastic plugs are inserted; a scratch coat of plaster is applied, which is at least 5mm thick and once this is set, a further layer of plaster is applied, which is 15-20mm thick. Finally, a skim layer of finishing plaster is applied and the job is complete.

Bitumen damp proof course

Houses that were built pre 1970s would have a bitumen damp proof course inserted between brick courses at the ground level; this was replaced with a plastic DPC around the 1970s, which was stronger and less liable to decay and degrade. Older properties are more likely to have a DPC issue, as the years can take its toll on the material.

Damp proof course prevents rising damp

It is important to inspect the damp proof course, looking for signs of damage and should you find issues, we recommend that you contact us at London Damp Specialists on 020 8528 3864 and arrange a damp survey when one of our certified surveyors carries out a series of tests to determine the presence of damp and mould.

Buying/selling a property in London

If you are thinking of buying or selling a property in the London area, you should arrange for a homebuyer damp survey, which is carried out by a qualified surveyor and you receive a written report within 24 hours of survey completion.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that damp is something that occurs in other people’s homes, be vigilant and inspect the property on a regular basis and we are always ready to carry out remedial work, should it be necessary.